An American Woman’s Listening Tour Through the Axis of Evil

Note: The following essay appeared in Female Nomad and Friends: Breaking Free and Breaking Bread Around the World by Rita Golden Gelman and published by Random House, 2010. I was, of course, thrilled to be published in Rita’s anthology, since I had enjoyed her first book, Tales of a Female Nomad so much, but a bit nervous about “going public” with such a personal story. In the internet wake of former IMF director Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s rape allegations and goosed by a posting on SheWrites.com (“Keeping Silent about Rape” by Sarah Glazer), I decided to come “out” even more publicly. Below is my essay, which also puts me on record as having had an abortion, another source of shame and secrecy for many women. Would love your comments. ~ Kelly

THE TRIP THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

I came home pregnant. Of course, I didn’t know it until the laundry was done and the jet lag had lapsed. India had shaken my soul, now it had invaded my uterus. (more…)